Mouth closing device



Aug. l9, 1932.

E. G. HEITRITTER IN V EN TOR.

'Filed June 23, 1931 BY W ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 9, 1932 PATENT erster:

EDWARD G. HEITRITTER, OF SIOUX CITY, IOWA.

MOUTH CLOSING DEVICE .Application filed .Tune 23,

An object of my invention is to provide a convenient means for closing the mouth of avcorpse, either in the case of a corpse with Vfalse or with natural teeth.

.6 l Another object of my linvention is to provide a suitable arrangement whereby the lower lip of a corpse having receding jaws can be dra-wn forward into a natural position and held in such a position by means of hooks.

videV a-mouth closing device of the character hereinafter specified without resorting to ,cumbersome arrangements outside of the mouth.

VA still further object .of my invention is to provide a device of such character which can .be quickly and easily put in place without undue tear-ing or rupture of the fleshy portions of the jaws.

- 20 Another object of my invention is to provide a device Yof such character which is Aof simple and inexpensive construction.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, ar-

f 75 rangement, and combination of the various v par-ts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained,` as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying draw- ;30 ling,y in which:

F igureV 1 `is a front viewof the -device as applied to the mouth of a corpse,

Figure 2 is .a section taken medially of,

vFigure 1 135 y Figure 3 is a front view of a modified form ofthe device as applied to thev mouth ofa Acorpse having false teeth, and

Figure 4-is a section takenmedially ofv Figure 3. j

Ihave used the reference character 10 to indicate the upper portion of the device which consists of a `circular disc of metal to which is attached the bent pin 11 which is forced into the upper gum 12.

4" Likewise 13 indicates the lower disc which is attachable to the lower gum 14 bythe pin 15. Both ofthese pins 11, 15 are fastened about their respective hubs 16, 17 of the discs 10 13.

*59 .Ay flexible'and pliant lconnecting means 18 A fur-ther obj ect of my inventioneis to pro- 1931. Serial No. 546,177.

A said hub a sufficient number of times to secure av frictional and wedged connection as shown at 21.

.In use on a corpse with a receding lower jaw, the device, which consists of a pair of hooks as shown in the side view at 22, and which hooks are made of one piece of wire wound around the hub portion 16 of the disc 10 at said wires middle portion, serves to draw the lips forward, the lips being` thereby positioned over the upturned portions 23 of the hooks 22.

When used in the mouth of a corpse having false teeth, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the same general construction throughout is used with the exception that instead of using the pins 11, 15 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wire loops 24 and 25 are used. These loops 24, 25 are passed through the gum portions 26 and 27 in a direction parallel to the plane of the front teeth 28 and said loops 24, 25 are alsoA secured around the hub portions 16, 17 of the discs 10, 13 to provide a solid, connecting means therewith and also, said loops 24, 25 are twisted together at their free ends to provide a. comparatively rigid loop structure.

The hooks 22 are not used in this form of the device.

It will be noted that my invention incorporates certain desirable features.

, It is extremely simple in that it consists 0f a. minimum number of parts.

It can be used without the necessity of expert manipulation.

Grdinarily, in undertaking work, the tendency of the jaws to sag' open necessitates some to take up space and cause the corpse to present an awkward appearance.

It will be seen that in using this device described herein after suitably closin the mouth of the corpse, the device is practlcally completely hidden.

Often a corpse has a receding lower jaw. My invention, by the provision of the hooks 22 provides a convenient means for positioning and holding the lower lip, thereby drawing forward the receding lower jaw and effecting a more natural expression on the face of the corpse.

In the modified form of the deviceto be used in the case of a corpse having false teeth, it will be seen that any inconvenience resulting from this condition can be well taken care of by the use of my device in a similar, satisfactory manner throughout with the exception that the hooks as shown in the original form of the device, illustrated in Figures l and 2, will not be necessary since in this case the lower jaw portion of the teeth can be readily adjusted thereby dispensing with the use of the hooks. a

l Some changes may/be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is myintention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mouth closing device, a pair of anchor elements including parts adapted to pierce and be embedded in the respective' gums of a corpse, and a flexible tie element secured to one of said anchor elements and adapted to be adjustably secured to the other of said anchor elements.

' pierce and be embedded in the respective gums of a corpse, and a flexible tie element secured to one of said anchor elements and' adapted to be adjustably secured to the other of said anchor elements, said anchor elements including an upper and lower disc.

3. In a mouth closing device, a pair of anchor elements including parts adapted to pierce and be embedded in the respective gums of a corpse, and a flexible tie element secured to one of said anchor elements and adapted to be adj ustably secured to the other of said anchor elements, said anchor elements including an upper and lower disc, said upper disc including the flexible tie element attached thereto and said lower disc including a hub portion,about which thetie element is twisted to allow frictional; engagement thereto.

4. In a mouth closing device, a pair of an chor elements including parts adapted to pierce and be embedded in the respectivel gums of a corpse, and a flexible tie element sei cured to one of said anchor elements and adapted to be adjustably secured to the other of said anchor elements, said other anchor element comprising a lower disc including an extended hub portion, and an auxiliary disc positioned parallel to and spaced from said lower disc about which hub portion the flexible tie element is twisted to be secured.

5. In a mouth closing device, a pair of anchor elements including parts adapted to pierce and be embedded in the respective gums of a corpse, and a flexible tie element secured to one of said anchor elements and adapted to be adjustably secured to the other of said anchor elements, said other anchor element comprising a lower disc including an extended hub portion, and an auxiliary disc ypositioned parallel to Aand spaced from said lower disc about which hub portion vthe flexible tie element is twisted to be secured, and a further extension of said hub portion provid- *ing attaching means for the lower anchor element.

6. In a device for closing a corpses mouth including upper and lower gums, hooks embedded in the upper and lower gums, discs attached tothe hooks, and securing means between the discs. l

7. In a device for closing a corpses mouth including upper and lower gums, hooks em bedded inthe upper and lower gums, discs f attached to the hooks,'and securing means to provide attaching or securing means, said securing means comprisinga solid connection at one disc and a spirally wound connection at the other.

9. Ina device for closing a corpses mouth including upper and lower gums, van upper and lowerhook in the respective gums, anv Vupper and lower disc attached to each hook, the lower disc including an extended hub, an auxiliary disc attachedftothe Outer end vof said hub and spaced parallel tothe said disc, and an adjustable tie element secured between the upper. and lower discs.

10. In a device for closing a corpses month including upper and lower gums, anupper and lower hook in the respective gums, an upper and lower disc attached to each hook, the lower disc including an extended hub, an auxiliary disc attached to the outer end of said hub and spaced parallel to the Vsaid disc,

Vand an adjustable tie l' element securedv between the upper and lower discs, said tie element being solidly attached to the upper disc and wound about the extended hub of Athe lower disc to provide frictional retention.

11. In a device for closing a corpses mouth including upper and lower gums, an upper and lower hook in the respective gums, an upper and lower disc attached to each hook, the lower disc including an extended hub, an auxiliary disc attached to the outer end of said hub and spaced parallel to the said disc, and an adjustable tie element secured between the upper and lower discs, said tie element being solidly attached to the upper disc and wound about the extended hub of the lower disc to provide rictional retention, and hooks attached to the upper disc for positionin the lower lip of a corpse.

12. n a device for closing a corpses mouth including upper and lower gums, an upper and lower hook in the respective gums, an upper and lower disc attached to each hook, the lower disc including an extended hub, an auxiliary disc attached to the outer end of Vsaidhub and spaced parallel to the said disc,

.and an adjustable tie element secured between the upper and lower discs, said tie element being solidly attached to the upper disc and wound about the extended hub of the lower Signed at Sioux City, Iowa, this 18th day of June, 1931.

EDWARD G. HEITRITTER. 

